Thoughts on 97 Honda VFR 750

On Sat, 09 Oct 2004 03:04:11 GMT, "-=A=-" <ag71953 RemoveThis @sbcglobal.net>
wrote:

 >Got this thing froma friend for $1500.00
 >runs like new, maintained very well.
 >Only needs the right side plastics as it went down at like 5 MPH
 >no real damage just a little scrape on side plastic.
 >Bike looks great, runs great, and is a blast
 >Not as fast as my 92 ZX7 was, but still fun...
 >
 >What tires would you recomend for this thing
 >I mainly ride the twisty hills here in Arkansas through the small mountains
 >we have here
 >a few high speed blasts, but mainly safe riding, and no tricks..
 >
 >-=Allan=-
 >

What do people "think," hmm.

The question's irrelevant, as is any answer. It seems you feel you've
gotten a smoking deal on the bike, and you're here seeking validation.
And perhaps that's what matters. Indeed, that's all that matters, in
this case, as far as you're concerned.

They are indeed fine bikes. The '98s received a major makeover,
including linked brakes and fuel injection. Whether that's "better"
or worse is equally irrelevant, but you're enquiring after the genre
so there you go. If you seek further validation, wait until Larry L.
pipes up: he believes the sun rises and sets on Honda V-4s. Whether
it does or not is entirely a matter of opinion. And Usenet is nothing
if not full of opinion.

Mildly curious what new body panels cost, should you choose to replace
them. Hopefully "a thousand bucks" is not the answer.

Tires for general purpose sport riding? Thousand and one opinions on
that, too. For all-purpose tires, I'm fond of both Bridgestone 010
(now the 014) and Avon AV45/46. There are other good options, that's
only one.

Or Desser Tire and Rubber Co., Inc., makes pretty remolds color-coded
red to your bike. I'm sure they're swell street tires.

Good luck,


'-----------------------------------------------------
' Daniel Bannon
' NW WA State, U.S.A.
' 2003 ZX636B Hercusaki, 1999 CBR1100XX
'-----------------------------------------------------<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Thoughts on 97 Honda VFR 750 

I don't know weather to be thankfull for your reply or offended.

Sure, I would love to hear people tell me that I got a great bike at a great
price, but I as well
would not mind if the general opinion was that it is a poor choice of ways
to spend money.

And while we are on the subject of opinions, I agree, everyone has one, and
they do vary.
But if I were to get the same answer from several sources as their opinion,
well then it would
make me think it to be an option worth investigation.

I have grown up on dirt riding and atv's and things of the sort, and have a
few years of street riding experience.
Although I'm not well versed on all the information you guys probably have
as common knowledge,
I am not completely without .

Just looking for thoughts from people more in the know when it come to this
style of riding and equipment.

Thanks for the replies, and weather good or bad, I welcome all.

-=Allan=-
Mena, Arkansas
1997 Honda VFR 750





"Daniel Bannon" <daniel_r_bannon DeleteThis @hahtmail.dott.c0mm> wrote in message
news:f1rem0pj0ji8193gp6mgd6ablfj3e0j5gi@4ax.com...
 > On Sat, 09 Oct 2004 03:04:11 GMT, "-=A=-" <ag71953 DeleteThis @sbcglobal.net>
 > wrote:
 >
  > >Got this thing froma friend for $1500.00
  > >runs like new, maintained very well.
  > >Only needs the right side plastics as it went down at like 5 MPH
  > >no real damage just a little scrape on side plastic.
  > >Bike looks great, runs great, and is a blast
  > >Not as fast as my 92 ZX7 was, but still fun...
  > >
  > >What tires would you recomend for this thing
  > >I mainly ride the twisty hills here in Arkansas through the small
mountains
  > >we have here
  > >a few high speed blasts, but mainly safe riding, and no tricks..
  > >
  > >-=Allan=-
  > >
 >
 > What do people "think," hmm.
 >
 > The question's irrelevant, as is any answer. It seems you feel you've
 > gotten a smoking deal on the bike, and you're here seeking validation.
 > And perhaps that's what matters. Indeed, that's all that matters, in
 > this case, as far as you're concerned.
 >
 > They are indeed fine bikes. The '98s received a major makeover,
 > including linked brakes and fuel injection. Whether that's "better"
 > or worse is equally irrelevant, but you're enquiring after the genre
 > so there you go. If you seek further validation, wait until Larry L.
 > pipes up: he believes the sun rises and sets on Honda V-4s. Whether
 > it does or not is entirely a matter of opinion. And Usenet is nothing
 > if not full of opinion.
 >
 > Mildly curious what new body panels cost, should you choose to replace
 > them. Hopefully "a thousand bucks" is not the answer.
 >
 > Tires for general purpose sport riding? Thousand and one opinions on
 > that, too. For all-purpose tires, I'm fond of both Bridgestone 010
 > (now the 014) and Avon AV45/46. There are other good options, that's
 > only one.
 >
 > Or Desser Tire and Rubber Co., Inc., makes pretty remolds color-coded
 > red to your bike. I'm sure they're swell street tires.
 >
 > Good luck,
 >
 >
 > '-----------------------------------------------------
 > ' Daniel Bannon
 > ' NW WA State, U.S.A.
 > ' 2003 ZX636B Hercusaki, 1999 CBR1100XX
 > '-----------------------------------------------------<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Thoughts on 97 Honda VFR 750 

..

If you seek further validation, wait until Larry L.
 > pipes up: he believes the sun rises and sets on Honda V-4s. Whether
 > it does or not is entirely a matter of opinion. And Usenet is nothing
 > if not full of opinion.

Thanks Daniel for the intro... you are correct about V4s and our sun...
I'm never stingy either... there's a V4 in your future too... now aren't
you filled with anticipation???

Larry L
94 RC45 #2
Have a wheelie NICE day...
Lean & Mean it in every corner of your life...
If it wasn't for us the fast lane would rust...
V4'S are music to the seat of my pants...
1952 De Havilland Chipmunk...
Yank and bank your brains loose...
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/-xlax-/" target="_blank">http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/-xlax-/</a>
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://home.comcast.net/~netters2/" target="_blank">http://home.comcast.net/~netters2/</a>
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.fox302.com/index.pl?s=vg&user=netters2" target="_blank">http://www.fox302.com/index.pl?s=vg&user=netters2</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Thoughts on 97 Honda VFR 750 

 >From: "William Wahl"

 >Avon Azaro 45/46 are great tires.
 >Ciao!
 >Bill

Say some.

Bannon, how would you rate your experience with the Avons?<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Thoughts on 97 Honda VFR 750 

 >From: Daniel Bannon

 >For all-purpose tires, I'm fond of both Bridgestone 010
 >(now the 014) and Avon AV45/46.

I see I needed go only one post further for the answer.
I recently got a tongue lashing over at the ST list for suggesting that they
weren't my favorites.
Except for cold weather, I found them to be quite decent rim protectors for
about 5k miles. Riding back from West Virginia with my wife on the back and
loaded for the trip, the tires wore a peculiar flat spot that destroyed low
speed handling. I literally had to fight the bars to turn the thing below about
20 mph. Next, they lost all ability to stick on wet pavement and all future
rain rides became serious white knuckle adventures.
About everyone over at the ST list runs these things, to a great extent because
they are promoted by our exalted hero and Iron Butt winner Gary Eagan. They
insist my problem was that I didn't keep them fully pressurized (39 psi front,
42 psi rear if memory serves). That could be, but I've never run any tires at
those pressures nor have I ever encountered such odd ball low speed and wet
weather handling from a tire.
In their defense, I will say that I rode them about 3k miles after the handling
went to pot and they still stuck great in dry corners. Even the wear pattern
started normalizing and the low speed handling improved somewhat. Wet weather
traction never returned however.

Oh yeah, I got a friend that bought a used 97 VFR that had the shit kicked
outta it. Great bike and stone reliable. He didn't even change the chain for
like 27k miles.
The only problem he had was with the regulator/rectifier (RR) unit. They are
known to be problematic on this model. Seems they get too hot for their
heatsinking capability. Some have moved them into an area with better airflow,
others have wired up Pentium fans to the heatsink.
Were I going to use one for touring duty I'd do one of those mods myself
because losing the RR will leave you stranded in a big, unpleasant way.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Thoughts on 97 Honda VFR 750 

On Sat, 09 Oct 2004 03:04:11 GMT, "-=A=-" <ag71953 DeleteThis @sbcglobal.net>
wrote:

 >Got this thing froma friend for $1500.00
 >runs like new, maintained very well.
 >Only needs the right side plastics as it went down at like 5 MPH
 >no real damage just a little scrape on side plastic.
 >Bike looks great, runs great, and is a blast
 >Not as fast as my 92 ZX7 was, but still fun...
 >
 >What tires would you recomend for this thing
 >I mainly ride the twisty hills here in Arkansas through the small mountains
 >we have here
 >a few high speed blasts, but mainly safe riding, and no tricks..

I've been satisfied with Metzeler's Z6 Roadtecs. No let-down or
weirdness yet.

--
John, '02 FZ1, '73 RD350

I see maps.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Thoughts on 97 Honda VFR 750 

Got a 98 myself. Dunlops. Love it.

Take the plastic to a paint and body shop. Minor prep work, quick painting,
you'll be good as new. Or there's always e-bay.

Congrats on a great bike purchase, and at a great price. Gotta ask though,
how many miles?

BeachBum

"-=A=-" <ag71953 RemoveThis @sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:LyI9d.3142$Al3.2744@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com...
 > Got this thing froma friend for $1500.00
 > runs like new, maintained very well.
 > Only needs the right side plastics as it went down at like 5 MPH
 > no real damage just a little scrape on side plastic.
 > Bike looks great, runs great, and is a blast
 > Not as fast as my 92 ZX7 was, but still fun...
 >
 > What tires would you recomend for this thing
 > I mainly ride the twisty hills here in Arkansas through the small
mountains
 > we have here
 > a few high speed blasts, but mainly safe riding, and no tricks..
 >
 > -=Allan=-
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Thoughts on 97 Honda VFR 750 

On Sat, 09 Oct 2004 00:22:41 -0700, Larry xlax Lovisone
<netters2atcomcastdotnet> wrote:

 >.
 >
 >If you seek further validation, wait until Larry L.
  >> pipes up: he believes the sun rises and sets on Honda V-4s. Whether
  >> it does or not is entirely a matter of opinion. And Usenet is nothing
  >> if not full of opinion.
 >
 >Thanks Daniel for the intro... you are correct about V4s and our sun...
 >I'm never stingy either... there's a V4 in your future too... now aren't
 >you filled with anticipation???

Deerslayer and I know a guy with a '96. Mr. Viffer thoroughly trashed
a formerly immaculate bike en route to Windy Ridge (Mt. St. Helens
lookout) October 2002. (In retrospect, the cause appeared to be
"over-exuberant rider on sacked suspension," but that's another
story.)

Inspecting the bike early '03, it looked straight but essentially
destroyed cosmetically: most fairing panels broken, this-and-that
sanded off or bent, etc. About what you'd expect from a 50-70mph
pavement slide, e.g. I offered him money for the carcass, but he
wanted far too much (about the same as this thread's original poster
paid).

Restoring the bike to 100% looked to be a three to four thousand
dollar endeavor: I know how these projects go, and usually enjoy
watching guys squirm when they figure out how much parts really cost,
not to mention time spent plus fucking around with dealers,
backordering, blah blah. Thirty bucks here, two hundred there, sixty
bucks somewhere else, before we know it we've sunk four to five grand
into a bike worth maybe three-point-five in good condition on the used
market. Drive it off a cliff into the quarry, save the trouble.

I did a little investigation into hopping-up Viffer motors, maybe
raising the horsepower from roughly 90 stock rwhp to about 120.
No-go: add another three to five grand to the project. And we've not
even touched the suspension or forks yet.

In the end, I'd have a ten thousand dollar polished turd, still worth
about $3.5K on the used market. And just about any jackass on a
thrashed '98 Gixxer 750 could leave it for dead on the racetrack.
Pass.

But as 'objects de art,' Larry, I don't think anyone who's ever ridden
a V4 Honda will forget the experience. I for one really like the
sound of both the 360 and 180 degree crank versions, plus the
interesting power delivery. Hondas in general require few
introductions in terms of overall competence.

But I guess I'm all about performance-per-dollar these days, to be
truthful. Know thyself, and buy accordingly. If I'm ever again in
the market for rolling sophistication, V4 Hondas will be on my short
list. Sheer bang-for-buck, I'm afraid not, at this time anyway.

'-----------------------------------------------------
' Daniel Bannon
' NW WA State, U.S.A.
' 2003 ZX636B Hercusaki, 1999 CBR1100XX
'-----------------------------------------------------<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Thoughts on 97 Honda VFR 750 

The miles re about 23000.

and thanks


"Zach" <res6obg0nospam.TakeThisOut@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:mJU9d.635$vZ5.371@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
 > Got a 98 myself. Dunlops. Love it.
 >
 > Take the plastic to a paint and body shop. Minor prep work, quick
painting,
 > you'll be good as new. Or there's always e-bay.
 >
 > Congrats on a great bike purchase, and at a great price. Gotta ask though,
 > how many miles?
 >
 > BeachBum
 >
 > "-=A=-" <ag71953.TakeThisOut@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
 > news:LyI9d.3142$Al3.2744@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com...
  > > Got this thing froma friend for $1500.00
  > > runs like new, maintained very well.
  > > Only needs the right side plastics as it went down at like 5 MPH
  > > no real damage just a little scrape on side plastic.
  > > Bike looks great, runs great, and is a blast
  > > Not as fast as my 92 ZX7 was, but still fun...
  > >
  > > What tires would you recomend for this thing
  > > I mainly ride the twisty hills here in Arkansas through the small
 > mountains
  > > we have here
  > > a few high speed blasts, but mainly safe riding, and no tricks..
  > >
  > > -=Allan=-
  > >
  > >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Thoughts on 97 Honda VFR 750 

Bought my 97 three years ago... about 13,000 miles on it.

Just went over 80,000 this summer. Had the RR go out on me twice before
I replaced the stator (Electrix RR and stator now). No problems since.

Never needed more than 1 shim at valve adjustment time.
Just add fuel, change oil, clean chain, etc. and ride.

Dunlops have treated me well since the factory Michelins came off. The
right side peg feeler is half gone.

Rode it from Colorado to California twice, Florida, Tennennesse and New
York once each. (No offense but Arkansas highways suck. Pretty state
otherwise.)

Guys at work always ask, "We know you can afford a newer, faster
motorcycle, so why not go buy a new one?" They'll never understand.



In article <IWY9d.2327$Lk3.657@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com>, ag71953
@sbcglobal.net says...
 > The miles re about 23000.
 >
 > and thanks
 >
 >
 > "Zach" <res6obg0nospam DeleteThis @verizon.net> wrote in message
 > news:mJU9d.635$vZ5.371@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
  > > Got a 98 myself. Dunlops. Love it.
  > >
  > > Take the plastic to a paint and body shop. Minor prep work, quick
 > painting,
  > > you'll be good as new. Or there's always e-bay.
  > >
  > > Congrats on a great bike purchase, and at a great price. Gotta ask though,
  > > how many miles?
  > >
  > > BeachBum
  > >
  > > "-=A=-" <ag71953 DeleteThis @sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
  > > news:LyI9d.3142$Al3.2744@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com...
   > > > Got this thing froma friend for $1500.00
   > > > runs like new, maintained very well.
   > > > Only needs the right side plastics as it went down at like 5 MPH
   > > > no real damage just a little scrape on side plastic.
   > > > Bike looks great, runs great, and is a blast
   > > > Not as fast as my 92 ZX7 was, but still fun...
   > > >
   > > > What tires would you recomend for this thing
   > > > I mainly ride the twisty hills here in Arkansas through the small
  > > mountains
   > > > we have here
   > > > a few high speed blasts, but mainly safe riding, and no tricks..
   > > >
   > > > -=Allan=-
   > > >
   > > >
  > >
  > >
 >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Thoughts on 97 Honda VFR 750 

Sheer bang-for-buck, I'm afraid not, at this time anyway.

Granted... the inline 4 has been around since 1939... mercy that's
before WW2... when is it going to dawn on us that it's about time more
bang for buck V4s come off the drawing broads... I hope Ducati's
Desmosedici V4 will start trend...


Larry L
94 RC45 #2
Have a wheelie NICE day...
Lean & Mean it in every corner of your life...
If it wasn't for us the fast lane would rust...
V4'S are music to the seat of my pants...
1952 De Havilland Chipmunk...
Yank and bank your brains loose...
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/-xlax-/
http://home.comcast.net/~netters2/
http://www.fox302.com/index.pl?s=vg&user=netters2
 >> Stay informed about: Thoughts on 97 Honda VFR 750 

Damn good deal! Mine just turned over 41k, still purring like a kitten, and
running like a scalded cat. Good to know she'll probably be that way for
another 41k.

BeachBum

"-=A=-" <ag71953 RemoveThis @sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:IWY9d.2327$Lk3.657@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...
 > The miles re about 23000.
 >
 > and thanks
 >
 >
 > "Zach" <res6obg0nospam RemoveThis @verizon.net> wrote in message
 > news:mJU9d.635$vZ5.371@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...
  > > Got a 98 myself. Dunlops. Love it.
  > >
  > > Take the plastic to a paint and body shop. Minor prep work, quick
 > painting,
  > > you'll be good as new. Or there's always e-bay.
  > >
  > > Congrats on a great bike purchase, and at a great price. Gotta ask
though,
  > > how many miles?
  > >
  > > BeachBum
  > >
  > > "-=A=-" <ag71953 RemoveThis @sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
  > > news:LyI9d.3142$Al3.2744@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com...
   > > > Got this thing froma friend for $1500.00
   > > > runs like new, maintained very well.
   > > > Only needs the right side plastics as it went down at like 5 MPH
   > > > no real damage just a little scrape on side plastic.
   > > > Bike looks great, runs great, and is a blast
   > > > Not as fast as my 92 ZX7 was, but still fun...
   > > >
   > > > What tires would you recomend for this thing
   > > > I mainly ride the twisty hills here in Arkansas through the small
  > > mountains
   > > > we have here
   > > > a few high speed blasts, but mainly safe riding, and no tricks..
   > > >
   > > > -=Allan=-
   > > >
   > > >
  > >
  > >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Thoughts on 97 Honda VFR 750 

 >From: Larry xlax Lovisone

 >I hope Ducati's
 >Desmosedici V4 will start trend...

Of losing motorsickle races?<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Thoughts on 97 Honda VFR 750